Archives for 2013

“Our very first Washington, DC ‘fly-in’ was a strong success for all who attended,” says executive director of SFATA. Representatives of 24 electronic cigarette manufacturers, distributors, and retailers traveled to the nation’s capital Nov. 4-5 to take part in The Smoke Free Alternatives Trade Association (SFATA) “Day on the Hill” to advocate for the booming

“Our Team Members have strong relationships with our customers and are excited to honor those who have served our country and community,” says CEO of CST Brands. In honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Corner Stores across the U.S. are saluting military members and veterans by giving away any size Cibolo Mountain coffee or

New York’s Lisa Chapman wins Sunoco’s “Free Fuel 5000.” Sunoco has announced that Lisa Chapman of Jordan, N.Y., is the winner of its 2013 Free Fuel 5000 promotion. Chapman won 5,000 gallons of high-quality Sunoco fuel as the grand-prize recipient. The loyal Sunoco customer certainly did her part to earn the prize. Working in the

Reports 8.8% increase in gallons sold and 10 new Stripes stores. Susser Petroleum Partners LP (SUSP), a wholesale distributor of motor fuels, reported financial and operating results for its 2013 third quarter, representing the three months ended Sept. 30, 2013. Net income for the quarter was $9.6 million, or $0.43 per diluted unit. Adjusted EBITDA

Six new large-format stores have opened during the first nine months of 2013 including one during the third quarter. Delek US Holdings Inc., a diversified energy company with assets in the petroleum refining, logistics and retail industries, has announced financial results for the third quarter 2013. For the three months ended Sept. 30, 2013, Delek

Getty Realty Corp. has announced that at the Board of Directors meeting, held Nov. 7, the directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per common share payable on Jan. 8, 2014 to holders of record on Dec, 26, 2013. Getty Realty Corp. is the leading publicly-traded real estate investment trust in the U.S. specializing in

CPG Executive Tom Lavan to run growing packaged goods business for industry leader. AdvancePierre Foods has announced that Tom Lavan is the new president of its Retail division, which sells fully assembled sandwiches and value-added protein products to major grocery chains and club stores across the country. Lavan is a consumer packaged goods executive with

Event set for Nov. 23-24, 2013 at the Darling Tennis Center in Las Vegas. XYIENCE Xenergy, the official energy drink of the UFC, has announced its sponsorship of the 4th edition of the Las Vegas Wheelchair Open. The newly named Las Vegas Xenergy Open will bring together some 40 tennis players, ranging in age from

Topeka, Kan.-based convenience store chain brings on industry veteran Ed Davidson to steer the new segment. Street Corner, the convenience chain known for its small-square footage inline stores and mall kiosks, has announced that it has begun offering franchisees small and large street-side stores, and has engaged industry veteran Ed Davidson as part of the

Buffalo Prep marks first academic enrichment program to gain a grant from ExxonMobil Education Alliance Program through NOCO. Buffalo Prep was recently awarded a $1,500 grant from the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program to support math and science education initiatives. Michael Newman, executive vice president of NOCO and Charles Freiden, territory manager for ExxonMobil worked with

The demand for spicy flavors continues with 54% of consumers surveyed now preferring spicy condiments, dips and sauces. The most familiar, tried-and-true flavors may have impressive staying power on menus, but Technomic’s most recent flavor findings also signal the need for operators and suppliers to stay on top of flavor trends by reinvigorating classic offerings

Donation is part of Fueling the Community Program. Parker’s recently presented a $4,000 Fueling the Community check to Beaufort County Schools in Beaufort, S.C. The donation, which is part of a larger unrestricted charitable contribution to area schools in South Carolina and Georgia, was officially presented at the Beaufort County Board of Education meeting on

Local student gets help with school fees thanks to 2013 Tuition Giveaway. Rutter’s and Dr. Pepper awarded a $500 scholarship to loyal Rutter’s customer, Melissa Mazzur of Dallastown, Pa., as part of Dr. Pepper’s 2013 Tuition Giveaway. Mazzur will use the scholarship money for her daughter, Jessica, who plans to attend Saint Francis University next

The total dollars loaded into the prepaid category will climb to $672 billion over the next three years, according to Mercator Advisory Group, with convenience stores in particular the fastest growing segment. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. The open-loop prepaid card market has been growing, driven by the cash-access and government categories. But as with

Energy drinks are boosting packaged beverage sales, while healthier drink options continue to show promise. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. Packaged beverages are a key driver for convenience stores and an area where they excel in relation to other channels. In fact, according to NACS State of the Industry (SOI) data, packaged beverages almost caught

Despite a demand from adult consumers, retailers are continually forced to defend their right to sell flavored cigars responsibly. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Lawmakers in Washington, DC, and in all 50 states are eyeing cigars and, to a lesser degree, electronic cigars, not only as potential sources of additional revenue but, in many cases,

Convenience store operators pushing a foodservice program must be committed to store cleanliness and sanitation. By John Lofstock, Editor. A new national survey revealed that 63% of Americans have had a particularly unpleasant experience in a public restroom due to the condition of the facilities. That’s bad news for operators looking to grow foodservice sales.

With customer demand growing for upscale brews, a growler program is one way to expand your craft beer segment. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. As the craft beer trend grows, convenience stores are capitalizing on consumer demand for emerging local and seasonal brews by growing their craft beer sections and, in some cases, adding a

Consumers are looking for fast service, fresh ingredients and value pricing when it comes to a breakfast program. How competitive is your morning offering? By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. Everyone knows that breakfast is important. Over the years, research has shown that adults who eat breakfast are generally healthier, weigh less and have a reduced

Taking steps to promote innovative products and value pricing can elevate the whole roller grill experience to drive new sales. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Convenience store operators looking to spice up their roller grill offerings have more tools at their disposal than ever before, including the weather, as autumn spurs consumers to seek hot,

From store cleanliness to customer service, all retailers must go above and beyond the call of duty to protect their brand identity.By Jim Callahan. I don’t get upset too often, but I’m usually able to get there pretty quickly when it does happen. And when I do encounter a less-than-positive experience, I always look for

Illinois chain exits the c-store business after a rich 102-year history in retail with the sale of its 10 stores to Alimentation Couche-Tard. It will focus on its wholesale business. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. What started in 1911 with Elzie Huot selling kerosene from a horse and buggy and grew to a fourth-generation, 10-store

Maverik Inc. is a convenience store chain that prides itself on serving others, and that’s what helped make Convenience Store Decisions’ 2013 Chain of the Year award dinner in Atlanta so special last month. The Utah company that is so used to making others feel special found itself as the center of attention before nearly

While electronic cigarettes are gaining a lot of attention, moist smokeless sales are chugging along with brisk sales. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. Convenience stores have a significant opportunity to target consumers in overlapping tobacco segments, such as converting cigarette smokers over to moist snuff or cigars. Experts expect this group to increase moist smokeless

Online Partners

Browse the latest issue of Convenience Store Decisions and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Bookmark, share and interact with the leading C-Store magazine today.

Need C-Store News in a minute?
C-Store Decision Enewsletters get you caught up on all the convenience store news you need. Sign up today.

Convenience Directions

The Convenience Directions concept has been in place for over 15 years in the convenience store industry. What we do is very unique in that
we combine the InfoMarketing newsletter, which is mailed quarterly to over 10,000 c-store executives, with three Idea Exchange meetings.

Print Subscription

NAG Convenience Conference

The National Advisory Group (NAG) is a dues paying association committed to building relationships and profits. NAG’s mission is to provide retail leaders of small to mid-size and family-owned convenience chains a peer-to-peer forum for the exchange of ideas to improve their business performance.